This is a useful book—helpful at the bedside, but, more important, as a reference text. According to the editor, the purpose of the book is to provide insight into disease processes that transcend specific treatment regimens. Therefore, many of the chapters are exclusively devoted to pathophysiologic topics rather than to specific management of disorders. However, the reader should not infer that this book deals only with research and theory; there are many portions that focus on clinical management.

The book is organized into three sections. The first is dedicated to an update and review of normal and abnormal cardiopulmonary pathology, as well as a thorough treatment of topics such as control of cardiac output, cardiopulmonary interactions, and acid-base disorders. The last chapter in this section, which deals with peripheral oxygen transport and utilization, is particularly timely and well written.

The second section concerns principles of treatment. The authors treat both